The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, CON, has extended glowing commendations to the immediate past President of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), Professor Benedict Oramah, in recognition of his remarkable leadership, deep patriotism, and extraordinary contribution to Nigeria’s economic revival during his tenure.
Senator Akume made these remarks during a courtesy visit in Abuja by a high-level delegation from Afreximbank, led by the bank’s Managing Director of Export Development, Mrs. Oluranti Doherty, alongside Mr. Brian Deaver, CEO of the African Medical Centre of Excellence (AMCE).
While addressing the delegation, Dr. Akume lauded Prof. Oramah’s visionary leadership at the helm of Afreximbank, noting that his interventions came at a time when Nigeria was facing severe economic challenges and was in desperate need of support. He credited the former Afreximbank President with playing a decisive role in restoring confidence in the Nigerian economy through bold financial support and strategic debt management.
According to the SGF, “Prof. Oramah has done a lot to impact not just the people and government of Nigeria, but the entire African continent and beyond. Since the day I met him, we became close. At a time when other financial institutions were reluctant to assist Nigeria, citing debt ceilings and credit risk concerns, Prof. Oramah stepped forward.”
He continued, “Other lenders refused to extend credit facilities to Nigeria, saying we had reached the maximum borrowing threshold. That made it increasingly difficult to import essential goods for our people. But Prof. Oramah came to the rescue. He restructured Nigeria’s outstanding debts to Afreximbank and went further to extend new credit lines, giving our economy the lifeline it so desperately needed.”
Senator Akume emphasized that Prof. Oramah’s support came at a critical juncture, and his decision to provide financial backing, even when the odds were against Nigeria, is a testament to his unwavering belief in the country’s potential and his deep sense of African solidarity.
The SGF described Oramah’s leadership as not only professional and visionary but also driven by a rare kind of patriotism that prioritized people and purpose over profit. He added that the former Afreximbank chief’s tenure should be studied as a model for transformational leadership across African financial institutions.
The visit by the Afreximbank delegation also included discussions around ongoing projects and future collaborations, particularly in healthcare, trade finance, and industrial development, underscoring the institution’s continued commitment to Africa’s socio-economic growth.
Mrs. Oluranti Doherty expressed appreciation for the Nigerian government’s support and reiterated the bank’s dedication to driving development through innovation, trade facilitation, and strategic partnerships. Mr. Brian Deaver also shared progress on the African Medical Centre of Excellence, a major healthcare infrastructure project supported by Afreximbank and designed to deliver world-class medical services on the continent.
As Nigeria continues to navigate complex economic challenges, Senator Akume’s tribute to Prof. Oramah serves as a reminder of the critical role visionary leadership and development-focused finance play in stabilizing and transforming economies.
Prof. Oramah’s legacy at Afreximbank is one of bold action, timely intervention, and an unshakable commitment to the African continent—a legacy that will be remembered for generations to come.
